This page is currently being updated. If you have any further queries please contact
webmaster@havant.gov.ukThe ParkSafe scheme is all about making
the streets safer for all road users.
The Borough Council currently provides and maintains 24 Pay
and Display car parks in town centres and a further seven along the
coast. There are also a number of free car parks, and still others
in which access is restricted to those holding Permits. Details of
the charges and locations of car parks is available for both Town
Centres and the Beachlands area of Hayling Island.
In the Pay and Display car parks residents and business users
may purchase Permits which are valid for various periods up to one
year. Most car parks have spaces marked specifically for the use of
disabled persons, and for these there is no charge.
A few frequently asked questions are listed below, together
with the answers and reasons for those "seemingly unnecessary"
regulations. We hope that this information helps to explain the
current Council policy on these matters.
Why do I have to pay for parking?
In addition to raising income to pay for the maintenance of
existing, and the provision of new car parks, charges also help to
ensure that there is an adequate turnover of parking spaces during
the day, which are then available for shoppers and short term
visitors.
If the Council did not charge the users of the parking
facilities, the cost of the maintenance would fall on the Council
Tax payers and visitors using the facilities would make no
contribution. Shoppers and short term visitors would also find a
shortage of available space particularly in areas where a lot of
commuter parking occurs.
Why don't you pay for the car parks maintenance with savings
you would make if you no longer needed to employ patrol staff?
Even if parking was free, patrolling would still be required
for a number of reasons. In order to provide a regular supply of
convenient parking spaces for shoppers during the day, a maximum
period of waiting would need to be introduced, and this, together
with the disabled persons parking and other regulations would still
need to be enforced.
Also the patrol staff act as a deterrent to crime, and
identify areas in need of maintenance.
Why can't I pay on exit?
The Council has considered other charging systems. Pay on exit
systems involve a barrier at the entrance and exit to the car park
which can cause considerable delays, congestion and pollution,
particularly if the equipment fails. Barriers can also cause great
inconvenience to disabled drivers. For these reasons the Pay and
Display system has been considered to be the most suitable for the
Borough car parks.
The Council will monitor the situation in the light of new
technology in order that the most "user friendly" system is
used.
Why don't you provide change machines?
Unfortunately, change machines would be an inviting target for
theft. The very nature of the machines requires that they be full
of cash at all times. Ticket machines, on the other hand, are
emptied on a daily basis, ensuring no cash is left in them
overnight.
Why don't I get a refund if I pay for an hour and only stay for
five minutes?
The charging structure is such that any stay between the cost
increments is the same charge. Therefore the fee for five minutes
is the same as that for 60 minutes, and for 1 hour 5 minutes is the
same for 2 hours. The Council is very aware of the competition from
"out of town" shopping stores and neighbouring local authorities
and these factors are borne in mind when setting the parking
fees.
The Council believes that its fees are competitive by
comparison with other neighbouring centres with similar shopping
facilities.
Why can't I pick someone up and drop someone off in the car
parks?
You can, but you must ensure that you comply with the parking
regulations by stopping in a marked bay and purchasing a parking
ticket.
The car parks are provided for the off street parking of
vehicles. If casual setting down/picking up were to be allowed,
congestion problems would be created, causing delays and
frustration to car park users.
Havant Borough Council is committed to customer care and the
first priority of the car park patrol officer is to assist the
motorist with the parking of his/her vehicle.
Where contravention of the parking regulations occurs, the
patrol officer is required to issue a Penalty Charge Notice.
Enforcement of the regulations against the few who do contravene
should ensure that the other users will enjoy trouble-free parking
with reduced delays, congestion and inconvenience, e.g. disabled
persons are able to use the convenient bays allocated for their
use.